Taji Mag | Black Culture

Saliyah Itoka Lives a Duel Life as a Singer & Model

Saliyah Itoka was born and raised in Queens, NY but currently resides in Albany, NY. She’s been singing since she was really young, but she didn’t start taking her music career seriously until January 2015 when she also started modeling.

Saliyah has been writing since she was 11. Her creative passions come from working with other artists sharing in their positive energy and learning from them. She has collaborated with other singers and rappers on her project and is very excited to hear the results. Her debut project is in the works and the name that she’s chosen for it is “The Stoop Sessions: Part I”. She’s inspired by singers from the 90’s and early 2000’s such as Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Tank, Rihanna, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Drake, and The Weeknd. In full light, she wanted to create a project that represented her on all levels. One of her favorite songs on her new project is called “Loving You”. It has a Tevin Campbell sample and has that feel good vibe that she loves about R&B.

She’s done 8 shows since she started her music career, but her most memorable experience as an Artist was her very first showcase because it was the first time she had ever performed her original music. She was nervous but it felt good knowing that people really liked what they heard. As a model, she performed at the February 2015 Atlantic City Fashion Week. It gave her that boost of confidence that she needed to confirm that she was runway model material.

Saliyah is working really hard to complete her project and make it perfect. In her modeling career, she just finished a show during NYFW and she’s just grinding and pushing for the next show and next casting. She just wants to continue to pursue what she loves to do and prove her doubters wrong.